Armrest cradle for electronic communications handset

Abstract

A passenger seat armrest has a cradle cavity formed therein for removably securing an electronic communications handset such as a telephone. The electronic communications handset is held in the armrest so that it becomes part of the armrest when not in use. Alternatively, the armrest also accommodates electronic devices not necessarily related to the electronic communications handset, such as additional communications ports and transducer modules. The armrest is comprised of modular components for efficient assembly, yet can be installed and removed from a passenger chair as a single unit.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. An armrest for use with a chair, said armrest comprising: a molded frame having a proximal and distal end, wherein said distal end defines the end of the armrest and is accessible to a user and including a top surface forming an integral part of the armrest for a passenger seated in a chair, and including a cradle cavity formed within the top surface of the molded frame,   said cradle cavity dimensioned to receive and removably secure therein an electronic communications handset whereby at least a portion of said electronic communications handset provides armrest support along with said molded frame when said electronics communications handset is received within said cradle cavity and so that at least a portion of said electronic communications handset can be operated when secured in said cradle cavity, and a bezel connected to the distal end of the molded frame and accessible to a user and having a panel removably connected to said bezel, said bezel defining a chamber for operably positioning therein at least one electronic device whereby at least one electronic device is accessible through said panel.   
     
     
       2. The apparatus as recited in claim 1, further comprising an ejector mechanism in operable connection with said frame for releasing said electronic communications handset from said cradle cavity. 
     
     
       3. The apparatus as recited in claim 1, further comprising a retractable communications line in electrical communication with said electronic communications handset. 
     
     
       4. The apparatus as recited in claim 1, further comprising a channel formed in said frame for defining a drainage path from said cradle cavity through said armrest to said chair. 
     
     
       5. The apparatus as recited in claim 1, further comprising a passenger chair wherein at least one of said armrests is operably connected thereto. 
     
     
       6. The apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said cradle cavity is formed within said frame so that said electronic communications handset tilts toward said chair when operably positioned within said cradle cavity. 
     
     
       7. An armrest attachment for use with the armrest of a passenger chair, said armrest attachment comprising: a molded frame having a proximal and distal end, wherein said distal end defines the end of the armrest of a passenger chair and is accessible to a user, and a top surface forming an integral part of the armrest for a passenger seated in a chair, and including a cradle cavity formed within the top surface of the molded frame and dimensioned to removably secure an electronic communications handset therein, and wherein said electronics communication handset is received within said cradle cavity and forms part of the armrest support; and   a bezel connected to said distal end of said frame, said bezel having a panel removably connected thereto, said bezel defining a chamber with said distal end of said frame dimensioned for operably positioning therein at least one electronic device that operates independently of said electronic communications handset, at least one electronic device positioned within said chamber so as to be accessible through said panel and a bracket fixably connected to said distal end of said frame between said frame and said bezel for operably positioning the electronic device.   
     
     
       8. The apparatus as recited in claim 7, further comprising an ejector mechanism in operable connection with said frame and said cradle cavity for releasing said electronic communications handset from said cradle cavity, said ejector mechanism having a tab movable between a releasing position and a securing position so that, when said tab is in said securing position, said electronic communications handset can be secured within said cradle cavity and when said tab is in said releasing position, said electronic communication handset is released from said cradle cavity. 
     
     
       9. The apparatus as recited in claim 7, further comprising a cord reel operably connected to said frame, said cord reel having a retractable communications line in electrical communication with said electronic communications handset. 
     
     
       10. The apparatus as recited in claim 7, whereby said electronic communications handset provides armrest support when secured in said cradle cavity. 
     
     
       11. The apparatus as recited in claim 7, wherein said cradle cavity has a floor and wherein said armrest further comprises a channel formed through said cradle cavity floor, said channel establishing a drainage path from said cradle cavity through said armrest to said arm of said chair. 
     
     
       12. The apparatus as recited in claim 7, further comprising a passenger chair having at least one armrest wherein said molded frame is connected to each of said at least one armrest. 
     
     
       13. The apparatus as recited in claim 7, wherein said frame has a first side and an opposing second side between said proximal and distal ends, wherein said electronic communications handset has a first face and wherein said cradle cavity is formed within said frame so that said first face of said electronic communications handset tilts toward said first side and away from said second side when operably positioned within said cradle cavity. 
     
     
       14. An apparatus for removably securing an electronic communications handset therein, said apparatus for use with a plurality of electronic devices operating independently of said electronic communications handset, the electronic devices including an electronic module, said apparatus comprising: a modular frame having a proximal and distal end which defines the end of the armrest of a passenger chair when assembled, and a modular frame having a top surface and a cradle cavity formed within the top surface, said cradle cavity dimensioned to receive and removably secure said electronic communications handset so that said modular frame and electronics communications handset form a part of an armrest support of a passenger chair; and   a modular arrangement connected to said frame for operably positioning said plurality of electronic devices within said apparatus whereby the plurality of electronic devices are accessible; said modular arrangement including a bracket fixably connected to said modular frame for connecting thereto a first side of an electronic module: and a bezel connected to the distal end of said modular frame for connecting thereto a second side of said electronic module, said bracket and said bezel defining therebetween an opening dimensioned to receive said electronic module, and an ejector mechanism in operable connection with said frame for releasing said electronics communications handset from said cradle cavity.   
     
     
       15. The apparatus as recited in claim 14, wherein said apparatus further comprises: a bracket fixably connected to said frame; and   a cord reel connected to said bracket whereby said cord reel is in electrical communication with said electronic communications handset.   
     
     
       16. The apparatus as recited in claim 14, further comprising a channel formed in said frame for defining a drainage path from said cradle cavity through said armrest to said arm of said chair. 
     
     
       17. The apparatus as recited in claim 14, wherein said cradle cavity is formed within said frame so that said electronic communications handset tilts toward said chair when operably positioned within said cradle cavity. 
     
     
       18. The apparatus as recited in claim 14, wherein said apparatus is configured as the armrest of a passenger chair.